RT Book, Section
A1 Reichman, Eric F.
SR Print(0)
ID 57718706
T1 Chapter 177. Dental Abscess Incision and Drainage
T2 Emergency Medicine Procedures, 2e
YR 2013
FD 2013
PB The McGraw-Hill Companies
PP New York, NY
SN 978-0-07-161352-1
LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=57718706
RD 2024/04/23
AB Patients  frequently  present  to  the  Emergency  Department  complaining  of  a  “toothache”.  The  common  causes  of  toothache  pain  are  multiple.1  Similarly,  there  are  multiple  etiologies  for  a  dental  abscess  (Table  177-1).  Distinguishing  the  type  of  dental  abscess  can  have  an  impact  upon  treatment  decisions,  prognosis,  and  patient  morbidity.2–5  The  accurate  diagnosis  and  proper  treatment  of  these  maladies  require  that  the  Emergency  Physician  has  a  basic  understanding  of  dental  anatomy,  pathophysiology,  and  simple  dental  treatment  protocols.  Many  of  these  conditions  can  be  managed  initially  through  the  Emergency  Department.  The  prudent  Emergency  Physician  must  have  a  clear  understanding  that  these  infections  can  rapidly  become  complicated  and  may  require  timely  consultation  or  referral.